And another popular Linux distribution pushes a new release out the door. This time around, it's openSUSE, as they just released version 12.1. Other than the usual latest and greatest version of all the open source desktops and associated tools, there's a few other interesting tidbits in this release as well.

Speaking of OpenSUSE... I just switched my production machine to Kubuntu 11.10. I have hit a spot that either THIS IS IT or definitely back to Windows 7. I couldn't stand Unity for a couple of days. I couldn't stand GNOME Shell for more than one day. I won't be trying Mint and its hacks. So KDE is all there's left. I may upgrade my hardware or buy a modest Nvidia GPU, if I have to.

I'm on a good oldie AMD 780G/SB700 (Radeon HD 3200). It's running fine, but not that snappy. I'm using the radeon open source driver. Not installing fglrx because certainly will disable splash screens and cause some bugs.

All I ask from KDE developers is... please, don't do any more stupid moves. Keep this environment better and better. I have criticized KDE many times, and KDE has lost ground for GNOME 2. However, KDE based distros may be a great camp for GNOME Shell refugees. GNOME guys really really blew our ex-usable, ex-stable and ex-reliable desktop.

"KDE introduces Oyranos, Apper and Plasma Active
openSUSE 12.1 ships the KDE Plasma Desktop 4.7 as default workspace and is the first major Linux distribution to ship the new KolorManager + Oyranos color management tools. Another major new addition is KPackageKit replacement Apper, simplifying installation and removal of applications. "

Awesome, huh? (well i use it)

What might be of interest in terms of keeping up to date is Tumbleweed.

openSUSE 12.1 can of course also move to Tumbleweed, our cutting-edge rolling release repo which contains the latest stable versions of all software. Tumbleweed lessens the significance and change impact of major releases by updating systems continuously."

The splash screen may work with fglrx. I've got Kubuntu, and I get the splash. Though, I do get a couple stray lines of kernel output, but my el cheapo laptop has weird issues with the graphics outside of windows in general, so your mileage may vary. It's worth trying, though, since fglrx generally performs better and supports more features.

It's related because I was looking for a Ubuntu 11.04 replacement. Many were waiting for OpenSUSE, but along the way came Kubuntu too which is KDE-based distro. Last time I knew, OpenSUSE was a KDE-based distro...unless it changed.

Oh yes, and when I rename something in Nautilus in list-view I get the extension renamed too. Or perhaps when I try to open a device from the desktop area, I have to actually try it twice for it to open in Nautilus.

Kubuntu is slow because it's the red-headed stepchild of Canonical. If you want KDE go with the traditional KDE distros like OpenSUSE and Mandriva. These are the vendors that work on optimizing their distros for KDE.

I have found no differences of performance between Fedora, Kubuntu and even Arch KDE's. Arch which was supposed to be the "faster" KDE, it's really not. It is just the same to me. Now I am a bit glad that I got fglrx working alright in Kubuntu. But Kubuntu took the lead because it ships the Ubuntu fonts, which I find them really nice for the UI, whereas other distros are using weird fonts.

I still see some shortcomings with KDE, but it's just some PolicyKit crashes, the plain X non-aliased fonts, and minor configuration as defaults. If one can spend the time to overcome this, it's actually better than GNOME.

I found KDE 4.6 to be a lot smoother and snappier when I turned off VSync under Desktop Effects -- > Advanced. I think this has to do with the way Mesa/Gallium3d or whatever handles VSync. I don't really notice any more tearing without it, just an increase in speed. Oh and this is with the open radeon drivers on a 5770.

Hey, thanks! That was a good tip, at least until 4.8 is released. I have a high resolution display and an uninspired intel gpu, which means that until I disabled vsync using effects was way slow. Now it's fine and I can have shadows. (There's also an ati gpu in this laptop, but if I enable that, the power draw is too big to run the cpu at max speed, and I compile all day long.)

So basically you are using a post about the new OpenSUSE release to troll about Gnome Shell ... great, well done. Honestly I wish people would stop using this hyperbole whenever Gnome Shell or Unity is talked about - "Unusable" maybe for you (and others) but that does not mean for everybody ... I happen to like Gnome Shell (as do others) and it is very usable for me and will be improving with time. Rough edges or lack of features are to be expected for the first few releases. I also like the Gnome Vision about Gnome OS and the plans for the new Gnome Applications all nicely integrated.

Apart from that there are many other DEs, not just KDE that may cater for your needs (XCFE or LXDE to mention only two) - nothing against KDE of course, but to call it the only possible refuge, such bollocks/Hyperbole again, but I forgot you possible just wanted to Troll.

But hey please feel free to return to Windows (is that supposed to be a threat? Only asking because it seems to be used a lot in discussion around different DEs, "... right that's it I will return to Windows!") - You hate Gnome Shell? Well I am sure you will love Windows 8 :-)

Too bad I can't mod you up. Either way, I was like you until about 3 hours ago when I tried Xfce 4.8 on Fedora 16 and PCLinuxOS Phoenix Edition (XFCE). I think you should try Xfce. I personally believe you will like it. It's much better and professional looking than GNOME 2.x and the performance is also very good. I now need to make a decision between Fedora 16 and PCLinuxOS Phoenix. They both have great packagers managers: Synaptic and yum. Don't know which one is better as a desktop.